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FA will not punish Defoe 'bite' FA will not punish Defoe 'bite'
(29 minutes later)
The Football Association will take no action against Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe over the biting incident in Sunday's game with West Ham.The Football Association will take no action against Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe over the biting incident in Sunday's game with West Ham.
Defoe seemed to bite the arm of Javier Mascherano after he was fouled by the midfielder and both were booked. Defoe seemed to bite the arm of Javier Mascherano after he was fouled by the midfielder, with both players booked by referee Steve Bennett.
But Defoe felt his actions had been "blown out of all proportion". An FA spokesman said: "We are unable to take any action because the referee has already dealt with the incident.
"Fifa regulations prevent us from taking retrospective action."
Manchester City defender Ben Thatcher was punished by the FA after the event earlier this season when his forearm smash left Portsmouth midfielder Pedro Mendes in hospital.
However, that incident was deemed as exceptional because Mendes sufferedserious injury but in most cases, the FA's hands are tied because of Fifa'sstance on the issue of retrospective punishment.
Defoe felt his actions had been "blown out of all proportion".
"The referee was standing over me and if he felt I had done something bad he would have sent me off," said the 24-year-old."The referee was standing over me and if he felt I had done something bad he would have sent me off," said the 24-year-old.
"It doesn't look great on TV and I accept that I have a responsibility to conduct myself in the right way."It doesn't look great on TV and I accept that I have a responsibility to conduct myself in the right way.
"When the West Ham player fouled me, I reacted in a bit of a mischievous way - my character is a little like that at times.""When the West Ham player fouled me, I reacted in a bit of a mischievous way - my character is a little like that at times."
But despite sports minister Richard Caborn calling for the FA to examine Defoe's actions but he will face no further punishment as the referee Steve Bennett saw the incident. Sports minister Richard Caborn had earlier called for the FA to examine Defoe's actions.
In today's game, he could have been sent off West Ham boss Alan PardewIn today's game, he could have been sent off West Ham boss Alan Pardew
Caborn told The Times: "Any action like this I hope the authorities will decide on. Players in these positions have a responsibility to set a good example."Caborn told The Times: "Any action like this I hope the authorities will decide on. Players in these positions have a responsibility to set a good example."
The incident came towards the end of the first half of Tottenham's 1-0 win at White Hart Lane.The incident came towards the end of the first half of Tottenham's 1-0 win at White Hart Lane.
Spurs boss Martin Jol described Defoe's bite as a "comical nibble".Spurs boss Martin Jol described Defoe's bite as a "comical nibble".
"He was nibbling his arm - there will be no mark. Ask Mascherano if he has got a mark," said Jol."He was nibbling his arm - there will be no mark. Ask Mascherano if he has got a mark," said Jol.
"It is part of the game. They kicked him three times from behind in 10 minutes and he wanted to show his frustration in a nice, comical way.""It is part of the game. They kicked him three times from behind in 10 minutes and he wanted to show his frustration in a nice, comical way."
606: DEBATE I agree that it's all been blown up a bit too much, but equally Jol and Defoe's 'mischief' excuses seem like just that to me YV 606: Have your say606: DEBATE I agree that it's all been blown up a bit too much, but equally Jol and Defoe's 'mischief' excuses seem like just that to me YV 606: Have your say
However, Hammers boss Alan Pardew, who saw his side slide to a fifth straight Premiership defeat, did not see the funny side.However, Hammers boss Alan Pardew, who saw his side slide to a fifth straight Premiership defeat, did not see the funny side.
"Mascherano brought him down from behind and that was definitely a booking," he said."Mascherano brought him down from behind and that was definitely a booking," he said.
"I didn't quite see the reaction from Jermain but it looked like he gestured towards Mascherano but whether there was any contact I don't know."I didn't quite see the reaction from Jermain but it looked like he gestured towards Mascherano but whether there was any contact I don't know.
"In today's game he could have gone. If he was sent off there, it would have changed the game.""In today's game he could have gone. If he was sent off there, it would have changed the game."